The Nerbier Cave and the Griottier Waterfall

To start the walk, meet in front of the football ground in Vaux-les-Saint-Claude.
Yellow markings
(S/E) Start the route heading north. Pass a road on your right, continue along a wide path and, after 100 m, you’ll reach a fork.
(1) Carry on straight ahead and head north-west, along the Bienne, until you reach the point where the wide path splits into two tracks.
(2) Take the path heading west. At the ‘Au Broteau’ signpost, follow the direction of Grotte de Nerbier (yellow markings). Continue until you reach the area upstream of the Plana farm.
(3) Please note that the route here does not match the IGN map: the path has been privatised. Turn right onto the gently ascending path and continue to the crossroads.
(4) Turn left to rejoin a wide stony path and head west. Continue until you reach the signpost for Grotte de Nerbier.
(5) Leave the stony path and head off to the right, following the signs for ‘Vers Grotte de Nerbier’. Climb up to the Grotte de Nerbier.
(6) With your back to the cave, continue south-west along a steeply ascending path. Pass a viewpoint and carry on until you reach the junction with a wide stony path.
(7) Head right, towards the north-west, and stay on the path until you reach the signpost for ‘Le Griottier’.
(8) Turn left onto a descending path and continue to the small bridge over the Héria.
(9) After the bridge, head south, following the Héria. Walk to the waterfall, followed by the ruins of the Moulin du Griottier, then, following the yellow markings, return to the bridge.
(9) Cross the small bridge again and head back up to the ‘Le Griottier’ signpost.
(8) Carry on to the left along the stony path towards Grand Châtel. Pass under the high-voltage power line and, after several bends, continue to the junction with a tarmac road.
(10) Turn left and carry on until you reach the fountain in the hamlet of Grand Châtel.
(11) Carry on straight ahead (south-east) along the Chemin de Chatillon. You’ll reach the hamlet of Petit Châtel. Pass the drinking water fountain and continue to the farm.
(12) Turn right, then, at the next farm, carry on to the left, heading south-east. Pass under and walk alongside a high-voltage power line and continue to the Fork in the road.
(13) Please note: here, ignore the yellow markings; turn right, heading south-east, onto the path running parallel to the high-voltage line. Carry on until you reach the T-junction.
(14) Head right, towards the south. Continue along this path until you reach the Roche de Vaux signpost.
(15) Leave the wide path and turn right onto the descending track, following the signs for Chapelle Saint-Romain. Walk down to the T-junction.
(16) Carry on to the right, heading south-west, and continue to the Chapelle Saint-Romain.
(17) In front of the chapel, continue to the right, following the dry stone wall. Carry on along the path, which soon begins a steep descent. Please note: in wet weather, the path may be dangerous. Use the ropes to help you down the slope, follow the orange markings on the trees and continue down to the path alongside the River Bienne, at the junction you passed on the way out.
(1) Turn left and walk on to the football ground (S/E).

Caution: dangerous descent after (17). Do not attempt this section with children; use the ropes for support. Hike completed by the author on 25/04/2024

(6) Nerbier Cave (9) Small bridge over the Héria, waterfall and ruins of the Moulin du Griotier (11) Fountain in the hamlet of Grand Châtel (17) Saint-Romain de Roche Chapel